Alpine 700W good enough for my specs?

[Tim333build]

These are my specs:

CPU: i5 3330
RAM: 4gb corsair
HDD: 500gb Seagate
Mobo: ASUS P8H61-mx
GPU: GT 210 (my new R7 250 1gb will be arriving in a few days)
Case: Cooler master Elite 371
PSU: Alpine 700W

I am fully aware that that PSU is bad but this computer has been running in an office for a couple of years and so far nothing has happened. I think that this PSU will support the R7 250 since it runs off the mobo's power. My motherboard has ASUS anti-surge protection. I wouldn't like to buy a new PSU since I'm a bit tight with money, but will this suffice?

 

[gasaraki]

Looks fine. I'm sure the bad PSU will still provide 500W and this system looks like it won't use much power at all.

 

[burtman88]

Sure it will work,but again your running the risk of frying your system.

 

[Tim333build]

Looks fine. I'm sure the bad PSU will still provide 500W and this system looks like it won't use much power at all.

Ok Thanks.

 

[Tim333build]

Sure it will work,but again your running the risk of frying your system.

Is it a big risk? Even if I have anti-surge protection?

 

[captaincharisma]

Sure it will work,but again your running the risk of frying your system.

Is it a big risk? Even if I have anti-surge protection?

anti surge protection only protects power surges from you home's power outlets, it doesn't protect the internals of your computer if it pops and starts smoking someday

 

[Tim333build]

Sure it will work,but again your running the risk of frying your system.

Is it a big risk? Even if I have anti-surge protection?

anti surge protection only protects power surges from you home's power outlets, it doesn't protect the internals of your computer if it pops and starts smoking someday

Good to know. I think I'll run it for a few weeks or months and see if it does good. Are there any telltale signs that the PSU is having trouble?

 

[g-unit1111]

700W is mega overkill for a GT210, you really only need a solid 430W for your system, but even that is a lot for that card considering it uses almost no power. But that Alpine PSU is a terrible choice. A Seasonic S12 430W is a much better choice and it is probably around the same price.

 

[burtman88]

It's hard to say what signs it will show, anything from random shut downs to freezes. I mean depends also where it's lacking to provide the correct power. I had issues with my cool max 1200 watt was dying it wasn't providing enough to the 5v part of the mobo. So i could game i could do whatever sometimes it wouldn't boot. Only reason i knew was thanks to Asus warning me about it. Also have Power supply testers plugged it in to confirm Asus's warnings. Amazing PSU miss it, way more power then i need now lol. My fault it died

 

[Tim333build]

It's hard to say what signs it will show, anything from random shut downs to freezes. I mean depends also where it's lacking to provide the correct power. I had issues with my cool max 1200 watt was dying it wasn't providing enough to the 5v part of the mobo. So i could game i could do whatever sometimes it wouldn't boot. Only reason i knew was thanks to Asus warning me about it. Also have Power supply testers plugged it in to confirm Asus's warnings. Amazing PSU miss it, way more power then i need now lol. My fault it died

Ok, I'll stick with the Alpine 700W, but as soon as I start noticing any trouble I'll get a new, better power supply. Sound good?

 

[Tim333build]

700W is mega overkill for a GT210, you really only need a solid 430W for your system, but even that is a lot for that card considering it uses almost no power. But that Alpine PSU is a terrible choice. A Seasonic S12 430W is a much better choice and it is probably around the same price.

Actually I had a GT 210 but now I bought an R7 250. I already have the Alpine 700W. I think I'll use it (I've got Antisurge protection) but if I see any telltale signs regarding the PSU, I will immediately change to another one. Does that sound good?
I don't have many alternate good, cheap PSUs where I live, so yeah.

 

[burtman88]

If that's all you got then take the risk, i mean you may get lucky and it will work fine for awhile. You truly never know to be honest, with the power surge that's designed for power coming from out side source nothing protecting the internals.

 

[Tim333build]

If that's all you got then take the risk, i mean you may get lucky and it will work fine for awhile. You truly never know to be honest, with the power surge that's designed for power coming from out side source nothing protecting the internals.

Alright then, I'll see if it manages.

 

[g-unit1111]

700W is mega overkill for a GT210, you really only need a solid 430W for your system, but even that is a lot for that card considering it uses almost no power. But that Alpine PSU is a terrible choice. A Seasonic S12 430W is a much better choice and it is probably around the same price.

Actually I had a GT 210 but now I bought an R7 250. I already have the Alpine 700W. I think I'll use it (I've got Antisurge protection) but if I see any telltale signs regarding the PSU, I will immediately change to another one. Does that sound good?
I don't have many alternate good, cheap PSUs where I live, so yeah.

Having a surge bar isn't going to protect your PC from a terrible quality power supply. That would be like using an umbrella to protect you from a falling tree. That is 100% complete nonsense. "Anti Surge Protection" is a marketing selling point - it is not actual surge protection.

What country do you live in? There has to be better PSUs out there.

 

[Tim333build]

700W is mega overkill for a GT210, you really only need a solid 430W for your system, but even that is a lot for that card considering it uses almost no power. But that Alpine PSU is a terrible choice. A Seasonic S12 430W is a much better choice and it is probably around the same price.

Actually I had a GT 210 but now I bought an R7 250. I already have the Alpine 700W. I think I'll use it (I've got Antisurge protection) but if I see any telltale signs regarding the PSU, I will immediately change to another one. Does that sound good?
I don't have many alternate good, cheap PSUs where I live, so yeah.

Having a surge bar isn't going to protect your PC from a terrible quality power supply. That would be like using an umbrella to protect you from a falling tree. That is 100% complete nonsense.

What country do you live in? There has to be better PSUs out there.

I live in Malta. Here are some websites:
https://www.klikk.com.mt/product/category/72_power-supplies
http://www.scanmalta.com/scanshop/computing/components-storage/power.html
http://pcwisemalta.com/shop/computing/pc-components/power/

 

[g-unit1111]

I live in Malta. Here are some websites:
https://www.klikk.com.mt/product/category/72_power-supplies
http://www.scanmalta.com/scanshop/computing/components-storage/power.html
http://pcwisemalta.com/shop/computing/pc-components/power/

You're right there isn't much selection. This is probably the best out of all of those and will be a major step up from what you're using right now and will be able to power your R7-250 with no problem: https://www.klikk.com.mt/product/15800_corsair-vs-series-vs550-550w-power-supply

 

[Tim333build]

I live in Malta. Here are some websites:
https://www.klikk.com.mt/product/category/72_power-supplies
http://www.scanmalta.com/scanshop/computing/components-storage/power.html
http://pcwisemalta.com/shop/computing/pc-components/power/

You're right there isn't much selection. This is probably the best out of all of those and will be a major step up from what you're using right now and will be able to power your R7-250 with no problem: https://www.klikk.com.mt/product/15800_corsair-vs-series-vs550-550w-power-supply

Alright, I've actually read that usually generic PSUs are good if they're using under 50% of their wattage. Is this true? And is the EVGA 600W 80+ better than the corsair one?

 

[g-unit1111]

Alright, I've actually read that usually generic PSUs are good if they're using under 50% of their wattage. Is this true? And is the EVGA 600W 80+ better than the corsair one?

Generic PSUs aren't good for much of anything, and they especially aren't good if you are using any GPU above a GT210. That's a myth. Both of those PSUs are only OK - they're not that great but they're a step up from what you are currently using.

 

[Tim333build]

Alright, I've actually read that usually generic PSUs are good if they're using under 50% of their wattage. Is this true? And is the EVGA 600W 80+ better than the corsair one?

Generic PSUs aren't good for much of anything, and they especially aren't good if you are using any GPU above a GT210. That's a myth. Both of those PSUs are only OK - they're not that great but they're a step up from what you are currently using.

Right, thanks for all the help!!! I think I'll be getting the EVGA 600W 80+

 

[Tim333build]

I was wondering, since my Alpine 700W psu is working fine, will it hurt if I add a graphics card which only takes 40W more?

 

[g-unit1111]

I was wondering, since my Alpine 700W psu is working fine, will it hurt if I add a graphics card which only takes 40W more?

That's kind of a gamble. It's not the wattage that we're concerned with it's more the build quality. Sure it could handle it but how long the capacitors will hold out with the new GPU upgrade is debatable.

 

[Tim333build]

I was wondering, since my Alpine 700W psu is working fine, will it hurt if I add a graphics card which only takes 40W more?

That's kind of a gamble. It's not the wattage that we're concerned with it's more the build quality. Sure it could handle it but how long the capacitors will hold out with the new GPU upgrade is debatable.

Does the amperage have something to do with it?

 

[g-unit1111]

Does the amperage have something to do with it?

Some, but with most power supplies it's really about the build quality more than it is about anything else. Amperage is a factor, but not nearly as much as the quality of the construction of said unit.

 

[J_E_D_70]

Folks he's talking about anti-surge on the mobo itself which should offer some hope if the psu goes... I still wouldn't risk it but no money is no money.

https://www.asus.com/aa/Motherboards/P8H61MX_USB3/

 

[g-unit1111]

Folks he's talking about anti-surge on the mobo itself which should offer some hope if the psu goes... I still wouldn't risk it but no money is no money.

https://www.asus.com/aa/Motherboards/P8H61MX_USB3/

That won't protect you from a power surge. That's really a marketing gimmick. In the event of a power surge your whole system will go down, and that won't stop your build from frying.